In an effort to distance ourselves from the later arrival of Dave Lacey and The "imposter" Corvettes, we became "The Two Corvettes" and we went on to win a talent contest on Radio Luxembourg (remember that!) where we won a fabulous trip to New York and a recording audition at Columbia followed by a regular appearance on ITV's Lunch Box (how embarrassing) after the then Lord Mayor, who I think was alderman Eric Mole, held us up as an example to the youth of 1961 (if only they knew the truth).

I well remember that the price of our air ticket to NY was almost the equivalent of a years wages to the average working man, so our adventure was out of this world at that time. Remember that even the major American artists rarely visited our shores due to the cost involved of promoting their talents. We went on to do the club circuit of the time for a few years afterwards until reality got in the way. We parted in 1964 and I have not seen Colin since he emigrated soon afterwards to South Africa, although he is coming back next month when we hope to get together for the first time in 38 years!

Good to see that someone is chronicling the history of the 1960's and I hope that other musicians help you to compile the definitive history of the Birmingham music scene of the time.

Aaaarrrgghhhh the memories! I was a true child of the sixties and ran around all over Birmingham listening to these bands. Me and my friend Hilary stalked Denny Laine for years! Everywhere they played we were there! Burton's the Tailors in Sparkhill! I remember me an Hil hangin' on Denny's every word while he had a smoke under a bus shelter below Burton's while the band was "on a break". They played at Solihull Tech a lot and we always used to miss the last bus home because we couldn't bear to leave. The grief and aggro I suffered for that lives with me still. I think it damaged me!

We also used to follow the King Bees. You should do something on them because they had Carl Palmer (later of ELP) as their drummer and they had the worst time getting bookings because he was only fourteen and wasn't allowed in pubs! I have a great story about Ian Campbell too. It's a bit long winded for now...but if you're interested......

Brian Sharp from Pat Wayne and The Beachcombers lived on my street and was the scandal of the neighbourhood when he bought an American car! One of them big 60's jobs with the rocket ship rear lights! Also, Dave Pegg went to my school so I am always intested to hear about him since I had a massive crush on him (tell him to call me!)

What a great time it was. I saw the Beatles at the Hippodrome. A friend sold me her ticket for TWICE the face value so I paid a massive One Pound and five shillings for it! It took me about six weeks to pay her ! Ok I gotta stop...

Maybe they they don't count for some reason, but shouldn't you mention blues duo Bakerloo Line (partial poster image attached)? And surely Black Sabbath and the Electric Light Orchestra should get a mention, both spending many hours rehearsing in the Midlands Arts Centre.

Which reminds me - it wasn't just the bands that made Brum special in the late 60s, there was also the infrastructure - the MAC, the Arts Lab, Mark Williams' regular Strange Days gigs at the Balsall Heath Institute, world-renowned projectionists the Amoeba Lightshow...

I have been doing some research into 1960s Brum and found your site. I was so excited to find listed Young Blood. Well, as school girls, my friend and I became the first members of the Young Blood fan club. We were members 1 & 2. We first met them at the Boys and Girls exhibition, then held at the Bingley Hall on Broad Street. We would listen to them practice every week in the community centre on Weoley Castle square.

I fancied the drummer (Colin Powell) like crazy and we followed them to many venues like the Railway at Selly Oak, the Hen and Chicks on the Hagley Road, etc. We would feel so proud when they sat with us during the break and Colin would always sit with me.

I was sad when I heard Colin (Cozy) was killed a few years ago in a car accident. He always had a passion for racing cars so perhaps it was poignant that he died doing what gave him the most pleasure. I was disappointed that I could not open the page due to construction. Any more info on Young Blood and I would be thrilled to hear. Thanks for the memory.

Just a comment on the bit about (Carl Wayne) and The Vikings and George (Duke) Mann. Duke came out of the army the same time as I did and we worked together at Parkinson Stove in Station Road, Stechford. Duke restarted the Vikings band which was NOT a skiffle band in any shape or form. Duke's main style was Buddy Holly (with his glasses, he resembled Buddy more than a bit) but he also sung stuff like "I Go Ape" etc. He was one of the first to wear custom style gear, such as a pink jacket, black pants, and pink matching shoes. I know because I helped him dye a pair. He lasted as the band leader until about 1962, when he got involved with a local groupie, who conned him into marrying her, then telling him it was either her or the band. Duke being a nice bloke did the right thing and gave the band away for that reason only, nothing else.

I know you can read stuff in books about the band (very little), but I can tell you Duke WAS the band. Also John, Duke's brother (Johnny) was not in the band at the start when Duke reformed it. The band's main playing base was at the Radleys at a place called The Blakenhall dance (I think that is how it was spelt). They also entered a competition that was held in the Bingo in town (a dance hall) and beat the group who thought they were the best in Brum at the time, these were the Grasshoppers.

This was also a time when there were a lot of fights being set up to disrupt the night's dancing in the hope that the venue would be closed down. Duke had asked me to keep an eye out for trouble at our dance at the Blakenhall, the reason being at that time, I had made a name (all be it bad) as a rough-nut who could handle myself, so I was to punch out anyone who tried to disrupt the night. Some of the group knew of this arrangement, one didn't like the idea, but it stayed and we had no problems with rivals, not like the Grasshoppers, ask the girl singer. Also in those days there was no such thing as The Brum Beat, that came later when Duke had left and many other bands had hit the scene around Brum.

I haven't seen or heard of Duke since about 1966 when he won a share in the football pools and moved out to another district, far away from the flat he had in Stetchford. He also had a son by then, his name was Robert Mann. I wonder if he grew up and followed in his dad's footsteps. I'd also be very surprised if he stayed married to the rougho that conned him into marrying her. If you ever get any info on Duke, I'd be very pleased if you could let me know. Also I have lived here in Sydney (Australia) since 68, and before that when Duke had moved I went to Canada, so a lot of water has gone under the bridge since those days.